Light flickers on power panel

[JoeySeaRay]

Hello,
On the electrical panel there are four lights, two for Line1 and two for Line2 (not counting the reversed polarity lights). These lights are labeled Normal in the attached photo. All electrical power on the boat operates normal; it's a 50amp connection with a Y cable and two cables connected to the boat connection. The boat is a 40' SeaRay EC 1994.

Here is the problem... One of the lights for Line 2 (top light) flickers and may be slightly dimmer. The lower light is steady. Also I noticed that the shore power cable and the receptacle have some burn marks. I swapped the shore power cables and the same light flickers. Meaning something on the boat side is the problem??? Any ideas where I should start looking to troubleshoot this? Also, is there some place where I can download a schematic for the electrical system?

One more question.. What are risks of plugging into 50 amp shore power and my boat is rated at 30 amp 120 v. Is there a way to reduce the amps from shore power? Would this cause my problem?

Thanks for the help!! :huh:

 

[NJMatt50]

Not sure if mine is the same (87 300DA) but I have 2 lights and 1 was filckering and 1 was out. Then this year they both were out. I took mine apart and fixed it. Mine was a sealed unit in a plastic box. I heat gunned and sliced it open. All this really is a the same as an outlet tester, you know that tester you plug into the receptical to see if it wired correctly. Any ways the leds that are in the tester are the same as the panel. I de soldered them out of the outlet tester and replaced them into the unit. All normal now. Hope this helps..

 

[NorCal Boater]

The panel lights are not LEDs. They are neon and you can replace the entire light. Radio Shack sells them for about 3 bucks. You just have to cut the leads on the back of the panel and connect the new ones. I have replaced about half of mine. I am now looking for a 120v LED that should last longer, burn cooler and draw virtually nothing.

 

[sbw1]

Agree with the neon light comment above. I've got one that flickers and is a little dimmer. When the boat was under warranty it was replaced. I had a tech look at it last year and he offered to replace it but said it's a waste of money because it would be of no practical value. The light simply tells you there is power going to that line. If it's blinking or dimmer than the other, you have power.

 

[rondds]

4 of 6 lights in the upper 1/3 of my panel are out. 1 of 6 is fine, another flickers. I'm waiting for an LED to arrive via mail and will post results. I confirmed the diameter of the holes with a 5/16" drill bit which fits snugly. The LED I have on order is 5/16" (aka 8mm).